Ezekiel 31 1

Ezekiel 31:1 kjv

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 31:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 31:1 niv

In the eleventh year, in the third month on the first day, the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 31:1 esv

In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 31:1 nlt

On June 21, during the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, this message came to me from the LORD:

Ezekiel 31 verses

Ezekiel 31 1 meaning

Ezekiel 31:1 serves as a precise chronological marker, indicating the exact date on which a new divine revelation was given to the prophet Ezekiel. It introduces the prophetic oracle that immediately follows, signifying a fresh communication from God to His chosen messenger regarding upcoming events or divine messages. The specificity of the date underscores the historicity and authenticity of the prophetic word.

Ezekiel 31 1 Context

Ezekiel 31:1 initiates a new oracle in the book of Ezekiel. The immediate context of the surrounding chapters (Eze 29-32) concerns a series of prophecies specifically directed against Egypt and its Pharaoh, describing its downfall and judgment by God. These oracles were given during a critical period of Judah's history, after Jerusalem had been partially destroyed, its king (Jehoiachin) exiled, and its final siege by Babylon was impending or underway. The detailed chronology places this particular prophecy during the eleventh year of Jehoiachin's captivity, likely corresponding to 587 BC, a pivotal year just before Jerusalem's final fall and utter destruction. This specific timing often emphasizes the accuracy and certainty of God's declarations even when human political maneuvering suggested otherwise.

Ezekiel 31 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי, wayehi): This is a very common Hebrew idiom, often used to introduce a significant event, a new narrative segment, or a divine intervention. It draws attention to the following information as being important and divinely orchestrated, setting a solemn tone.

• in the eleventh year: Refers to the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin's exile in Babylon. This chronological system is unique to Ezekiel, used throughout his prophecies (e.g., Eze 1:2; 8:1; 20:1; 24:1). It roots Ezekiel's ministry squarely in the experience of the exiles and establishes a firm historical timeline for the fulfillment of his prophecies, validating his divine calling.

• in the third month: The specific month further narrows the timeframe, aligning with the calendar system of the exiles, often based on the spring new year (Nisan). This detail points to an event in early summer (around May-June).

• on the first day of the month: This precise dating to the new moon of the third month adds an almost journalistic accuracy. This meticulous dating elevates the prophecy above mere human speculation, stressing its divine authority and undeniable place in real history, in contrast to the often vague prophecies of pagan religions which lacked historical anchors. It often carried liturgical significance as well.

• that the word of the LORD (דְּבַר יְהוָה, devar YHWH): "Word" (davar) implies not just spoken sound but an active, potent, and effectual message, an action, or a command from God. "LORD" (YHWH, the covenant name of God) emphasizes that the source is the sovereign God of Israel, creator of the universe, who fulfills His promises and executes His judgments. This phrase consistently introduces divine messages throughout prophetic literature, signifying direct divine inspiration.

• came unto me: This personal experience confirms Ezekiel's role as a prophet, the recipient and mouthpiece of God's message. It underlines the intimate and direct nature of divine revelation to the prophet, rather than indirect observation or human-derived wisdom.

• saying: This participial phrase introduces the actual content of the divine message, which follows in the subsequent verses (Eze 31:2ff.). It is the direct segue into God's oracle, framing the upcoming words as spoken directly by God Himself through His prophet.

• "And it came to pass...that the word of the LORD came unto me": This complete phrase emphasizes the active initiation by God and the passive reception by the prophet. It establishes a divine-human encounter, a specific instance of divine revelation that is both historical and authoritative. This structure reiterates the conviction that prophets do not speak of their own accord but are compelled by God's truth, differentiating divine prophecy from human wisdom or false claims.

Ezekiel 31 1 Bonus section

The precise dating of Ezekiel's prophecies also provided immense comfort and a sense of God's active involvement to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It meant that even in their state of national defeat and despair, God had not abandoned them but continued to communicate His will, guiding their understanding of their present circumstances and future hope. This grounding of the prophetic word in specific time and space gives God's word an immediate, living quality for the audience, reminding them that God is always working within human history.

Ezekiel 31 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 31:1, though outwardly a simple temporal statement, holds profound significance. It firmly roots God's intervention and communication within a precise historical context, serving as a divinely stamped chronological signature for the following oracle. The meticulous dating, common in Ezekiel, underscores the historical verifiability of God's acts and words, differentiating divine prophecy from the mythical or anachronistic pronouncements of other ancient Near Eastern religions. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me" highlights the absolute divine origin and authority of the message Ezekiel is about to deliver. It signifies that what follows is not Ezekiel's opinion or political commentary, but the very decree of the sovereign God, whose counsel stands eternally true, even concerning the rise and fall of great nations like Egypt, as the subsequent chapters will illustrate.